Bird and Mammal Diversity in Northwestern Argentina

将对阿根廷西北部安第斯省和前安第斯省（胡胡伊省、萨尔塔省、图库姆省和卡塔马卡省北部）的鸟类和哺乳动物进行为期12个月的调查。该地区的保护状况被定义为“脆弱”，其生物独特性被定义为“区域突出”，并被赋予1级生物多样性优先地位（区域尺度上的最高优先地位）。这一具有重要生物地理意义的地区在很大程度上仍未得到生物学上的探索。南美洲的几个主要栖息地都在这里，包括Yungas森林，puna, prepuna，山地草原，chaco，山地查科和Monte沙漠。微生境多样性高，存在许多孤立的山谷和山地岛屿。该地区是生物群南北迁移的走廊，被认为是许多分类群的多样性中心。整个地区是地理隔离和随后物种形成的理想区域。鸟类和哺乳动物将在约20个地点进行调查。包括基因数据在内的标本将被收集并存放在博物馆收藏中。记录栖地利用、习性、换羽、繁殖和自然历史等数据。动物调查、核对表和识别钥匙将以印刷和电子形式印发。研究将包括对新属和新种的描述，从而导致对系统和系统发育关系、生物地理学和保护的研究。这些数据将有助于选择保护地点，并将成为这一受威胁地区主要栖息地选择、繁殖和物种组成的基线数据。合作将涉及来自美国、阿根廷和加拿大六个组织的个人。阿根廷和美国学生将在实地和实验室得到支持和培训。

9870184 Mares A 12-month survey of the birds and mammals of the Andean and pre-Andean provinces (Jujuy, Salta, Tucum n, and northern Catamarca) of northwestern Argentina will be conducted. The conservation status of the region has been defined as "Vulnerable," its biological distinctiveness as "Regionally Outstanding," and it has been assigned a Biodiversity Priority Status of Level 1 (Highest Priority at Regional Scale). This biogeographically significant region remains largely unexplored biologically. Several of South America's major habitats occur here, including the Yungas forest, puna, prepuna, montane grasslands, chaco, montane chaco, and Monte desert. Microhabitat diversity is high, and numerous isolated valleys and montane islands exist. The area is a corridor for the north-south migration of biota, and has been suggested as a center of diversity for many taxa. The entire region is an ideal area for geographic isolation and subsequent speciation. Birds and mammals will be surveyed at ~20 localities. Specimens, including genetic data, will be collected and deposited in museum collections. Data on habitat use, habits, molting, reproduction, and natural history will be recorded. Faunal surveys, checklists, and identification keys will be produced both in print and electronic format. Research will involve descriptions of new genera and species, leading to research on systematic and phylogenetic relationships, biogeography, and conservation. Data will aid in choosing sites for preservation and will be baseline data on habitat selection, reproduction, and species composition for major habitats in this threatened region. Collaboration will involve individuals from six organizations in the United States, Argentina, and Canada. Argentine and US students will be supported and trained both in the field and in the laboratory.